A vulnerable man was viciously attacked and robbed by two thugs as he visited a grave at Ashby Road Cemetery over the weekend.

The 51-year-old victim, who has learning difficulties, had entered the graveyard via Ashby Road on Sunday morning before heading out towards the jitty that leads to Barwell Lane at 9.45am.

As he made his way through the gates the man was subject to an unprovoked attack as two people on bikes came up behind him, pushed him to the ground and kicked him when he was down.

They then stole the man’s Nokia mobile phone as well as a silver ring he was wearing before jumping back on their bikes and cycling off towards Barwell Lane.

Sergeant Graeme Thomson from Hinckley police called the incident a “vicious attack”. He said: “This has had a massive effect on the victim and for very little reward. What these two people got out of the offence is so little in proportion to the damage they have caused.”

Following the assault the victim was left with bruising under his left eye, cuts to the top of his head and swelling to both hands and his finger where they had snatched his ring.

Detailed descriptions of the thugs have been released by the police.

The first is a white male in his late teens who was about 5ft 8ins, with long, curly and unkempt dark hair and a straggly beard. He was wearing a white T-shirt, blue jeans and black shoes.

The second is a white male, also in his late teens, slim and about 5ft 5ins. He is said to have had short blond or ginger hair with a fringe and was wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans that were lighter in colour than the first male.

He was also wearing a black belt that had a distinct metal buckle. Both males were said to have smelt of alcohol and tobacco.

The bikes were described as small and similar to BMX bikes. One was red and the other was blue.

Police are appealing for anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Sgt Thomson said: “If anybody recognises these descriptions or has any further details please contact Hinckley police station.”

Police are also appealing for a female witness who stopped to see if the victim was okay after the attack. She is said to have told the man she was nearly knocked off her feet by two males who raced past her on bikes.

Sgt Thomson added: “We would really like this woman to come forward to assist our enquiries.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 101 or call Crimestoppers, which is free and anonymous, on 0800 555111.